CoGro Discussion Questions #5

“And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross.” (Colossians 2:13-14)

These questions are written to facilitate discussion rather than to make the group arrive at a particular place or a “right” answer. Allow the conversation to flow naturally, but don’t let it go away from the gospel and the passage at hand. Help one another apply the gospel message to your lives by asking how we should respond to what Paul says and what the sermon presented.

1. Our sin cuts off our relationship from God, but Christ reconciles us to God. How does he do that? What are the ways Paul talks about it here?
   

2. Have you ever been forgiven a debt that you couldn’t pay? What about a relational debt (i.e. not involving money)? How did that leave you feeling?
   

3. Has anyone ever said to you, “It’s going to be alright” but it just left you feeling worse? Why is that?
   

4. What’s the difference between cheap optimism on the one hand and a substantive hope on the other? How does Jesus provide us a substantive hope?
   

5. Where do you feel like you need hope in your own life right now? Where might you give a real hope to someone else who needs it?